About Us

Chuck’s Auction Service is a family owned and operated company that was founded in 1976 by James (Jim) E. Lewis and father-in-law, Charles “Chuck” Tedrow with the help of their wives, Linda (Tedrow) Lewis and Marceline Tedrow, respectively. After Chuck (2000) and Marceline (2017) passed away, Chuck’s Auction has continued under the stewardship of Jim and Linda with assistance from their son, Corey. Since the 1980’s, their auction facility has resided at 1268 Exeter Avenue, Exeter Borough, Luzerne County, PA.

Primarily serving Northeastern Pennsylvania, the company conducts auctions of personal property including real estate, antiques, housewares, jewelry, firearms, coins, and automobiles. We also handle small- to mid-size commercial liquidations. Chuck’s Auction averages 100-125 estates per year. As a service to estate settlements, the company can arrange for packing and transport of saleable goods and disposal of trash.

Our appraisal division, CJL Appraisal and Estate Services, handles estate, insurance, divorce, and inventory appraisals. Our appraisals have been accepted as testimony by the local court systems. The Auction Company is licensed and bonded, as required by State Auction Law. All work is done under written Contract, which is also required by Law. All consignor monies are held in Chuck’s Auction escrow until settlement. The Auction Company’s list of prior contracted clients includes the Federal Government (IRS, US Bankruptcy Court, US Marshall Service), the Pennsylvania State Police, Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office, numerous local police departments, and numerous local school districts. We have also been employed by and referred by banks, law firms, and many real estate companies.

The Auction Company holds active memberships in Pennsylvania Auctioneers Association (as well as the Northeast Chapter of the Association), New York State Auctioneers Association, and the National Auctioneers Association. Jim is a graduate of the internationally recognized Certified Auctioneers Institute, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana and a member of the Auction Marketing Institute, Overland Park, Kansas. Jim served as Treasurer for the Pennsylvania Auctioneers Association for 12 years and was inducted into the Association’s Hall of Fame in January of 2005. Linda, who became a licensed Auctioneer in 1998, received the same State Hall of Fame honor in January of 2020. Linda is only the second woman to receive this Honor and Jim and Linda are the only married couple to have this Honor bestowed upon them.

We at Chuck’s support a number of local charitable organizations by offering our auction services and have held Charity Auctions for the following organizations: Luzerne County Historical Society, Hoyt Library, Trout Unlimited, Ducks Unlimited, Fellowship Evangelical Free Church (Dallas, PA) Youth Ministry, and the Hazleton Combined Ministry.

One of the things we most pride ourselves with is our Chuck’s Friday Families Christmas Tree Benefit Auction, which we have conducted in some manner since the late ‘80s. This 30+ year endeavor has allowed us to generate and then donate over $110,000, which every year has been split evenly between the Commission for Economic Opportunity (CEO) Food Bank and the Marine Toys for Tots. These are organizations near and dear to our hearts and we are always proud of our Chuck’s Auction family who jump at the opportunity to help these 2 organizations out during their biggest need of the year.

There is no Contract that covers every seller’s needs. Can we develop a plan to help you? Give us a call!